Valve control structure for steam irons



March 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 1953 March 26, 1957 G. A. BRACE 2,786,286

VALVE CONTROL STRUCTURE RoR STEAM TRoNs Filed Dec. 5,.1955 u 2 sheets-sheet 2 VALVE CONTRL STRUCTURE FOR STEAM IRONS George A. Brace, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to '1 `he Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of hio Application December 3, 1953, Serial No. 395,875

Claims. (Cl. BIS-77) The present invention relates to a steam iron structure and in particular -to a novel and simple water supply reservoir and water ilow control valve structure therefor.

The subject matter of this application is an improvement upon the structure and a-rrangement disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application of Justice H. Beach, filed December 3, 1953, Serial No. 395,871, for Actuating Mechanism for Steam Iron Control Valve.

It is a particular object lof my invention to provide a water flow control and reservoir structure for steam irons of the general type disclosed in the aforesaid application of Justice H. Beach and in the application of John E. Vance, Serial No. 295,950, filed lune 27, 1952, now Patent No. 2,668,378, dated February 9, 1954, characterized in that the water flow control valve is actuated by rotating a control knob positioned on top of or accessible from the top of the steam iron manipulating handle and in which the valve structure per se comprises a minimum number of parts mounted within the water reservoir but in such manner as to have the valve parts thereof readily removable and accessible for repair and replacement.

It is another object of my invention to provide a steam iron of the liash boiler type having a reservoir provided with a water ow control valve actuated by rotary motion applied to a controlling member accessible from the manipulating handle structure wherein the valve is supported and actuated by a spring member mounted within the reservoir which in turn is actuated by a cam on the lower end of the aforesaid rotary member and in which the valve member is guided into its seat solely by a fitting containing the discharge orice wherein the valve member guide surfaces are truly concentric with the discharge orifice to insure proper alignment of the parts.

It is a more particular object of my invention to provide a steam iron structure of the aforementioned eharactor and having an upstanding filling member provided with a forwardly directed opening so arranged that the iron is filled when supported vertically upon the heel rest and in which the filling opening is in no wise obstructed by valve actuating mechanisms.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a steam iron of the `aforementioned character wherein the valve is forced to its seat under spring pressure and is biased to open position under spring pressure in an arrangement such that the movement and alignment of the movable valve member is positive and yet is completely independent of tolerances and misalignments which may occur in other parts of the valve actuating mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational sectional view partly in section of a steam iron of the general type disclosed and claimed in the aforesaid application of John E. Vance and embodying my improved valve and valve actuating mechanism;

ited States Patent ICC Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan'view of the forward end of the iron manipulating handle showing the steam control valve actuating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a plan View illustrating the relation of the valve spring support and ypressure applying member to an actuating cam and the valve member;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 1i-fs of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the valve actuating cam in the position it occupies when the valve is closed, corresponding to the dotted line position of a portion of the apparatus of vFig. 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and first to Fig. l thereof, there is disclosed a steam iron having a sole plate 1 provided ywith a suitable ironing surface and heated by a rod type cast-in heating element 2 which extends around one end and both sides of a steam generating chamber 3 formed in the iron, which chamber communicates through suitable passagcways and bores with steam discharge ducts through the sole plate in a manner fully disclosed in the aforesaid application of John E. Vance. The upper portion of the steam chamber 3 and its connecting ducts is closed by a removable plate 5 which is held to the sole plate 1 by means of studs 7. The plate 5 is provided with an opening 8 communicating with the chamber 3 which is overlaid by a flexible stainless steel plate 9 secured to the uppersurface of plate 5 and having a central dished section l@ upon which is seated a gasket il supporting the curved lower portion of a valve fitting member l2.

The member 12 is provided centrally thereof with a water flow control and metering orifice 13 communicating in its upper portion with a conical seat 14 which terminates in an elongated smooth guiding bore i5 for a purpose to be described herein-after. The bore 1S is interrupted around its periphery by two or more inset slots er grooves i6 extending from the top of the fitting l2 downwardly to a point adjacent the coni-cal seat 14 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The fitting 12 is threaded into a mounting member 17 having upper and lower anges i3 and i9 respectively, embracing the edges of an opening Ztl formed in the lower wall of a water container `or reservoir 2l. The fitting i7 is staked to the underside of the reservoir 21 around the opening Ztl to form a watertight seal therewith.

The fitting 17 also serves to anchor a spring structure consisting of an annular portion 23, see Fig. 3, which underlies the ange 18 and is tightly clamped to the underside of the reservoir thereby as shown in Fig. l. The annular section 23 of the spring is provided with a projecting and upwardly extending leaf spring portion 2.4 extending rearwardly of the reservoir and terminating in a reverse bend to join a forwardly projecting leaf spring section 25 having the free end thereof overlying the bore 1S and provided with a bifurcation 26 which receives a reduced neck portion 27 of a cylindrical valve member 28 having a conical lower end adapted to seat upon the seat 14.

The valve member 2S is lalso provided with a fine projecting pin 29 which is adapted to be moved through the orifice 1 3 each time the valve is moved to closed POSition and vice versa to keep the orifice clear of foreign matter. The bore 15 has a slide fit with the valve member 28 and provides a guide therefor to insure proper seating of the member 23 on the seat 1,4y and proper guidancecf the clearance pin 29 through the fine ,orifice 13.

The leaf Spring ,structure 23, 24, 2.5 normally biases the valve member to the open position illustrated in Fig. l, in which position the lower end of the valve is above the lower end of the grooves 16 whereby water can flow from the reservoir 21 downwardly through the grooves 16 below the valve member and then to the orifice 13 to discharge into the steam generating chamber 3. In this -connection it is well to note that the reduced portion 27 of the valve member 28 has a free fit in the bifurcated end 26 of the leaf spring whereby the valve is free to move relative to the leaf spring, thus avoiding any tendency of the valve to bind in the guideway as it is reciprocated therein. i

The reservoir 21 is made in two halves which are united by -a joint indicated at 30 to form a seai therebetween. At its upper side the reservoir 21 carries a diecasting 31 provided with a forwardly facing filling opening 32 whereby the iron is conveniently filled when standing upright on the heel rest.

The sole plate and reservoir assembly, except the filling tube 31, is overlaid by a cover shell 33 which supports a heat insulated handle 34 thereabove. The method of assembling these parts together forms the subject matter in part of the yaforesaid application of John E Vance. The front leg of the handle partially embraces the filling spout 31 rearwardly of the filling opening 32 illustrated in Fig. 1.

The reservoir 21 is internally provided with a generally cylindrical perforated baffle 35 surrounding the connection between the filling tube 31 and the reservoir 2l and also the upper side of the valve assembly. A transverse baffle 37 is positioned in rearwardly spaced relation to the rear side of the cylindrical bai-lie 36. The bafrie 36 is provided with a cutout portion 38 adapted to clear the leaf spring structure and also an actuating mechanism to be described. The bafe 37 is similarly cut away at 39 to receive the rearwardly projecting portion of the leaf spring structure.

The baffles 36 and 37 are secured to the upper side of the reservoir 21 by means of a hollow rivet 40 which supports a resilient gasket 41 within the tank. An elongated control rod 42 projects through the gasket 41. The

`gasket 41 has a sliding fit with the control rod 42 and forms a liquid seal thereabout to prevent liquid from leaking from the reservoir along the rod 42 when the iron is upended in the rest or storage position thereof.

The control rod 42 within the reservoir carries a metal collar 43 welded thereto and bearing on the underside of the gasket 41. The lower end of the rod 42 is bent to form a pressure applying and restraining structure consisting of a horizontal arm 42a normal to rod 42 and carrying an inclined cam 44 on its end extending at an angle to the arm 42a in -a plane normal to the axis of the arm. The cam 44 terminates in a horizontal rest segment 47 which joins cam 44 and a depending stop 45. As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the pressure applying and restraining structure bears on the section 25 of the leaf spring rearwardly of its connection to the valve member 28. With the parts in the position illustrated in Figs. l and 4, the leaf spring 25 presses upwardly against the horizontal arm 42a at a rather high elevation maintaining firm contact between collar` 43 and gasket 41 and holding the valve Z8 in the open position to allow Water to flow through the reservoir to the orifice 13.

Rotation of the rod 42 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, moves the parts to the position illustrated in Fig. 5, which brings the stop 45 to bear against the edge of the spring 25 and engages the top surface of the spring 25 with the rest segment 47 so as to press the spring 25 downwardly against the bias thereof to force the valve 28 to its seat in the conical section 14 to discontinue flow of water through orifice 13. In the position of the parts -illustrated in Fig. 5, the valve 28 is held firmly in its seat by tension of the spring 25 which also spring presses the collar 43 tightly against the gasket 41. When the rod 42 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 from the dashed line position of the parts 42a and 44 which corresponds to the Fig. 5 position, the inclined cam 44 engages the spring 25 as soon as segment 47 disengages from the spring and the pressure of the spring on cam 44 snaps the parts to the valve open position of Fig. 4, which corresponds to the full line position of Fig. 3.

rI'hat portion of the control rod 42 extending above the reservoir 21 projects upwardly to the top of the handle 34 through a bore 48 formed therein upwardly and rearwardly of the filling tube 31. The upper end of the rod 42 lies in a downwardly extending recess 5f) in the upper surface of the iron handle 34 and receives an actuating dial or knob 51 on its upper end. The dial or knob 51 may be secured to rod 42 either by a set screw or by a press t as illustrated.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the `dial 51 has a projecting portion bearing the indicia Steam and is movable within the recess 58 through a considerable are of movement between indicia on and off which are applied to the upwardly facing portion of the recess 50. The parts are so proportioned and connected that the valve mechanism and actuating rod are in the position illustrated in Figs. l and 4 when the dial 51 is in the Fig. 2 position; that is water is yallowed to flow through the orifice 13 into the chamber 3 to produce steam. When the dial 51 is rotated from the Fig. 2 position to cause the indicia bearing portion thereof to align with the word off the rod 42 is shifted to the Fig. 5 position which closes the valve 28 and prevents further supply of water to the steam generating chamber so that the iron may be used for dry ironing without emptying the reservoir 21 of its contents.

In assembling the parts of the apparatus, the baffles 36 and 37 and gasket 41 are assembled with the upper half of the reservoir 21 before the two halves thereof are joined at the seam 3i). The rod 42 is then inserted upwardly through the gasket 41 to limit allowed by the collar 43. Similarly, the fitting 17 and leaf spring struc` ture are assembled with the lower half of the reservoir 21 before assemblage of the two halves of the reservoir. After these operations, the two halves of the reservoir are assembled, the valve 28 is inserted through the threaded opening in the fitting 17, and engaged with the bifurcated end of the leaf spring structure. The valve fitting 12 is next threaded into place and drawn up tightly to the fitting 17 with the valve 28 received in the upper portion of the bore 15. After the reservoir, cover shell and handle are finally assembled with the sole plate, the dial 51 is attached to the upper end of the shaft 42 in proper position and the apparatus is rea-dy for use.

It is to be noted that the valve member 28 may be removed frorn the reservoir structure without disassemblage of anything more than the Valve fitting 12 in order to repair or replace the valve member if such should be necessary.

The valve mechanism disclosed herein is particularly characterized by a minimum of parts and great simplicity' in operation. It is particularly to be observed that the free engagement between the valve 28 and bifurcated end of the leaf springstructure permits the valve to be guided solely by the guide bore 15 in the valve fitting 12 whereby proper alignment of the valve with the seat is assured under all conditions of operation and the movement of the valve is entirely independent of any misalignxnent or tolerance conditions which may exist in the reservoir structure itself and in its relation to the actuating rod 42 or handle 34.

In addition to thc foregoing, the single leaf spring structure supports the valve to bias the same to open condition, maintains the collar 43 in engagement with the sealing gasket 41 and thus keeps the rod 2 under spring tension at all times, and seats the valve against spring tension whereby the pressure between the valve 28 and the seat 14 is positive but cannot be built up to destructive values due to inaccuracies in the shaping of the cam section 44 of the control rod or errors in positioning the collar 43 on the control rod.

While l have illustrated and described the invention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing from the spirit oi the invention or the scope of the appended` claims.

I claim:

l. In a steam iron having a sole plate provided with a steam generating chamber, a manipulating handle and a water container, the combination of a valve fitting on the container provided with a discharge orifice positioned to direct water into the steam generating chamber, a spring member mounted in the water container, a valve member supported by the spring, said valve member being slidable in the valve fitting under control of the spring to open and close tne orifice, said spring biasing the valve member to open position, a. rod rotatably mounted on the container having a cam on the lower end thereof within the container engaging the spring and a portion projecting upwardly of the container to point adjacent the top side of the handle, and a control knob on the upper end of the rod for rotating the same to operate the spring for control of the valve member.

2. In a steam iron having a sole plate provided with a steam generating chamber, a water container above the sole plate and a manipulating handle above the water container, the combination of a valve structure associated with the water container including a discharge orifice positioned to direct water into the steam generating chamber, a valve member for opening and closing thc orifice, a spring member mounted in the reservoir and supporting the valve member, said valve member being operable to open and close the orifice under control of the spring, a rod member rotatably mounted on the container having a cam on its lower end bearing on the spring and a manipulating portion projecting above the container whereby the valve may be opened and closed by rotating the rod.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the container is provided with a filling tube projecting upwardly therefrom at the front portion of the iron and the rod is positioned adjacent and rearwardly of the filling tube.

4. A reservoir control valve sub-assembly for steam irons comprising a water container having a discharge orifice in the bottom thereof, a leaf spring mounted in the container having a portion positioned over the orifice, a valve member depending from the spring, said valve member being supported by the spring, said valve member being operable to open and close the orifice under control of the spring, and means extending into thc container and bearing on the spring to impart pressure thereto for moving the valve member to close the orifice.

5. A reservoir control valve structure for steam irons comprising a water container having an upwardly projecting filling tube, the water container having an opening in the bottom thereof, a U-shaped leaf spring in the container, a iitting having a central opening secured to the container in the opening and engaging one end of the leaf spring to support the same in the container with the free end thereof positioned above the central opening in the fitting, a valve member loosely supported on the free end of the leaf spring, a valve plug having a kdischarge orifice and a valve seat removably secured to the fitting and having a guide surface for guiding the valve member onto the valve seat, and an actuator movably mounted on the container rearwardly of the lling tube for applying pressure to the spring to move the valve member onto the valve seat.

6. A water reservoir and control valve assembly for steam irons comprising a water container having a valve seat and discharge orifice on the underside thereof, a leaf spring secured in the container having a free end extending over the valve seat and spaced therefrom, a valve member supported by the free end of the leaf spring in position to engage the valve seat when the Spring is depressed, and an actuating rod mounted on the container having a part in the container operatively engaging the spring in spaced relation to the valve member for depressing the spring to Seat the valve member and a portion projecting above the -container for operating the actuating rod to open and close the orifice by flexing the spring.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the reservoir carries a sealing gasket engaging the actuating rod, the actuating rod has a camshaped end portion bearing against the spring and a collar secured to the rod and bearing on the gasket whereby rotary movement of the rod actuates the cam to increase or decrease the pressure applied to the spring and the spring maintains the collar in engagement with the gasket.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the rod eX- tends vertically and terminates in a substantially horizontal arm, and the part of the rod engaging the spring extends downwardly from the end of the arm at an angle to the horizontal whereby rotational movement of the rod increases or decreases the flexure of the spring.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the part of the rod engaging the spring terminates in a. horiz-ontal segment forming a rest for holding the spring depressed to engage the valve member on the seat when the horizontal segment engages the spring and rotational movement of the rod to disengage the segment therefrom causes the rod to be rotated by the spring until the spring engages the horizontal arm.

10. A reservoir control valve sub-assembly comprising, a water container, a valve fitting having a discharge orifice and being removably secured to the bottom wall of said container, a leaf spring mounted within said container and having a portion thereof positioned over said orifice, a valve member removably supported by said spring in a position to open and close said orifice under the control of said spring and means extending into said container and bearing on Said spring to impart pressure thereto for moving said valve member to close said orifice.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,342,653 Edwards Feb. 29, 1944 2,342,716 Woodman Feb. 29, 1944 2,441,586 Morton May 18, 1948 2,642,027 Kircher June 16, 1953 2,655,746 McFarland et al. Oct. 20, 1953 

